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Talking to your kids about sexuality? These 5 takeaways from a new 'Ensign' article can help

Morgan Jones - A Brigham Young University professor in the School of Family Life, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, and a BYU master’s student, Meg O. Jankovich, recently teamed up in an Ensign  article to address talking to your children about sexuality .  The motivation? “Our experience is that many young people remain abstinent before marriage but deeply misunderstand the full meaning and purpose of the law of chastity or of sexuality—misunderstandings that often, sadly, result in future marital struggles,” they wrote. Below are just a few of our favorite takeaways from the article but you can read the whole piece here . —The article offers...

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These 2 Filipino couples postponed their weddings until temples reopened. Here’s what they learned while waiting to wed

Emily Abel - The pandemic caused many couples to confront an issue: what to do with their upcoming wedding date. Some determined to hold civil ceremonies. Others decided to wait. Church Newsroom Philippines recently shared two stories of couples who postponed their weddings until temples reopened.  ►  You may also like:  A change of plans: How the COVID-19 pandemic affected temple sealings for 4 Latter-day Saint couples The Sorianos  Vaughn and Gertrud Soriano of Manila, Philippines, thought they would spend April together, happily counting down the days to their wedding. Instead, the couple watched their wedding date pass by from separate locations. A community...

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How this missionary's reassignment during the pandemic led him to baptize his grandmother

Danielle Christensen - Elder Awanuiārangi Morris’s mission didn’t turn out the way he expected. After receiving his call to the Philippines, Elder Morris spent 12 days in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, before he received an email telling him he would soon be returning home because of the pandemic. Elder Morris was 19 years old when he was baptized in 2017, which was “one of the best days of my life,” he said. “I was praying for months about the message the missionaries were sharing with me, and I wasn’t getting an answer,” he said in a new Pacific Area Church video...

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Watch: Missionaries use Skittles to compose stunning mosaic of Christ

Danielle Christensen - Elder Spencer Wagstaff and Elder Manu Tefan had a “sweet” message to share on Facebook recently—in more ways than one. The two missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been getting creative lately during the pandemic to bring others closer to Christ. In this case, that meant creating a picture of the Savior through an unusual medium: Skittles. A time lapse shows the elders creating a type of mosaic using orange, red, green, yellow, and purple Skittles to resemble a portrait of the Savior. Carefully planning out the project on a grid system and after some trial...

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In new ‘His Grace’ video, Sunny Mahe explains why her daughter’s passing was the answer to ‘someone else’s fervent prayers’

Morgan Jones - Editor’s note: This video contains descriptions of a child passing away and may not be appropriate for all audiences. On November 22, 2016 ,  Sunny Mahe, wife of former BYU standout football player Reno Mahe, was washing dishes in her kitchen when the friend of her 3-year-old daughter Elsie tapped her and said, “Elsie’s hanging by the string.” Little Elsie had gotten tangled in the family’s window blinds and wasn’t breathing. She passed away about a week later as a result of the tragic accident. “If that’s the only part that you know of our story, it just sounds like a...

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Here’s your first look at the ‘Come, Follow Me’ curriculum for Doctrine and Covenants

Emily Abel - The first Come, Follow Me study manual for 2021 can now be found online at ChurchofJesusChrist.org or in the Gospel Library App under “Come, Follow Me.” The manual for individuals and families is currently posted with other curriculum items to be available digitally by August 31, 2020.  Bishops and branch presidents will receive one print copy of   Come Follow Me—For Individuals and Families for each active household in their ward or branch. Units can order additional copies beginning June 30, 2020. All orders should be placed by August 31, 2020 to ensure delivery by January 1, 2021. ►  You may...

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A look back at the first 3 seasons of Book of Mormon videos as the next seasons are delayed

LDS Living - Have you been watching the Book of Mormon videos since they started being released last fall? My family has, and we were disappointed to hear that—like so many things right now— the filming of season 4 (covering 3 Nephi–Ether) and 5 (covering Helaman–Moroni) will be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic . So, while we wait for the next set of Book of Mormon stories to be brought to life, here is a look back at some of the highlights and fun facts about the first three seasons. Season 1: The first season brought to life the prophets and people who...

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President Nelson on the difficult decision to close temples: ‘What would I say to the Prophet Joseph Smith?’

Lindsey Williams - On March 25, 2020, the First Presidency announced that all temples would close at the end of the day. Now, temples have begun a phased reopening, with the first temples entering Phase 2 on Monday, July 27, 2020, allowing all living ordinances. So how was the decision made to close the temples in the first place? In a new Church News video , President Russell M. Nelson describes the difficult decision to close the temples, testifying, “Only in our temples do we receive the highest blessings that God has in store for His faithful children.” “How difficult was it to make...

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2 additional temples to enter Phase 1 of reopening; no additional temples to enter Phase 2

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Editor's note: This press release was originally published on May 7, 2020. A complete list of temples in the first phase of reopening and second phase of reopening is included after the press release.  The most recent additions to that list are: Phase 1: Open for restricted living sealings only • Córdoba Argentina Temple (August 3) • Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (August 3) Phase 2: Open for all living ordinances only • No additional temples were announced for Phase 2.  In a letter to all Church members, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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Embracing the man behind the mask: How being Cosmo the Cougar led one man to accept God's will—and himself

Danielle Christensen - Charlie Bird rotated his body in a perfect flip. It was the type of movement that was so familiar, the execution was more than just muscle memory now—it was a part of him. The man who had performed as Brigham Young University’s mascot, Cosmo the Cougar, and who had danced in ESPN’s 2017 College Football Awards , was simply doing what he had always done, defying gravity and soaring through the air. This time, though, Charlie’s setting was a little more unusual—instead of landing on grass in the LaVell Edwards stadium, the hot sand of the Sahara Desert was beneath his...

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Check out the newest summer book releases from Deseret Book

LDS Living - Are you looking for some inspiration during these long summer days? We've rounded up the newest releases from Deseret Book that are sure to enlighten and uplift! Spirit by David Butler Although anyone can feel the power of the Holy Ghost and be guided by it, it's not until baptism that we are promised the gift of the Holy Ghost: that the Holy Ghost will stay with us at all times if we are worthy to receive Him. This is a promise so incredible that at times it can be hard to wrap our minds around, much less apply. What, exactly,...

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‘He was born to play this role’: Director of ‘The Chosen’ discusses the process of casting the role of the Savior

LDS Living - The Chosen is the first multi-series TV show about the life of Christ. Bible stories are portrayed through the eyes of those who spent time with Jesus during their mortal lives. The show’s writer and director, Dallas Jenkins, said of the project, “None of this matters if it doesn't compel you back to scripture. Not only so you can experience Jesus the way his followers did but also so you can change and grow the way they did." Finding the right actor to portray Christ could have been an intimidating decision to make. But Jenkins knew he had found the right...

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Why we honor pioneers: Insights from President Ballard, Elder Soares, and President Jones

Emily Abel - Editor's note: " This week from the pulpit " highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church. July 24th is normally a day of parades and parties across Utah in remembrance of when the early pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Due to the coronavirus, no large memorial gatherings will take place this year, but three Church leaders are still seizing the opportunity to remind Latter-day Saints of a deeper purpose for honoring Pioneer Day. “What we’re celebrating is really the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fact that He...

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How Wilford Woodruff and Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley together—a driver, and a bedridden passenger

Mark Henshaw, excerpted from "Forty Years: The Saga of Building the Salt Lake Temple" - Brigham Young was lying in the bed of a wagon, having been severely ill for the last twelve days, when he saw the valley for the first time. 1   He was forty-six years old, short and quite stocky, a carpenter by trade and physically robust; but “mountain fever” could put even the strongest men flat on their backs. Several diseases fell under that generic name because they all produced high fever, severe head and body aches, deep pain behind the eyes, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Colorado tick fever was one of the least severe of these illnesses, usually passing in...

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Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: What does infidelity recovery look like?

Jonathan Decker, LMFT, Contributor - Editor's note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice. For daily Gospel-based relationship insights join Jonathan’s  Facebook group . To submit a question for Jonathan,  click here .  Q: Responding to your  article  on healing from infidelity and pornography abuse in marriage,  I enjoyed the read immensely as a betrayed spouse. What I think might be a very helpful second part is a generalized statement of what recovery looks like. What does recovery from...

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Alexa and Google given a 'gospel voice' through new Church feature

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - A few simple words directed at your Amazon or Google smart speaker will, beginning July 22, 2020, bring scripture, music, general conference talks, and other important content from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into your home. To get started, those who own an Amazon Echo can say, “Alexa, enable  Gospel Voice .” Users of Google Home can say, “Hey, Google. Talk to Gospel Voice.” English versions of the following content will then be accessible: Scriptures • All books of scripture can be accessed by chapter (specific verses will be available later this year). • Users can choose a...

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We asked, you answered: 20+ hilariously sweet and funny things kids prayed for

Emily Abel - Editor’s note: “We asked, you answered” highlights memorable responses to discussion questions posed on  LDS Living’s social media accounts. Follow along on  Facebook  and  Instagram  @ldsliving to contribute.   A child learning to pray is a little bit of everything: sweet, tender, and sometimes outright funny. We recently asked our Instagram followers what funny things they’ve heard children pray for. From hilarious to heartwarming, you don’t want to miss any of the responses on this list. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. Some creative prayers seem to have come from moments when a child didn’t quite say what they...

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From India to Cedar City: The lesser-known story of this brave woman in the Willie handcart company

Jannalee Sandau - When you think of pioneers, you most likely think of converts from England, Scandinavia, or the East Coast of the United States. But these early members of the Church actually came from all over the world. The new Saints  series presents a number of stories about pioneers from different countries, including Denmark, England, South Africa, and the Pacific Islands. But there were also pioneers from countries that aren't highlighted in the books. For example, a Saints video released last year briefly highlights how one member of the Willie handcart company was from India. Here is a little more about her in...

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The remarkable reaction of other religious groups to this new Latter-day Saint temple in California

Lindsey Williams - On Saturday, July 18, 2020, the Feather River California Temple became the fourth temple to have a broadcast groundbreaking ceremony due to current COVID-19 guidelines, but that’s not the only way the groundbreaking of the eighth temple in California was remarkable. The community in Yuba City has expressed immense support for the temple. Church News   reported that Peter Hall, the local temple committee co-chair, reached out to local religious leaders and others in the community while compiling the history of the groundbreaking to see if there had been any negative reactions. “We haven’t found any,” Hall told Church News ,...

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'It is our duty to vote, sisters': How early Relief Society sisters led the national charge for women's rights

Dianna Douglas, contributor - This story originally ran in the   July/August 2020 issue of LDS Living .    America is celebrating some major milestones in women’s rights this year, and Utah women are at the heart of it all. On Valentine’s Day 150 years ago, Utah women began voting. They went to the polls in a trickle at first. Then a flood. Then, an unstoppable tsunami. They were the first women in America to vote under an equal suffrage law, the very first women to choose their leaders and make their preferences known in their government. Utah women shocked the nation when they started...

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This 6-year-old went viral for saving his sister from a charging dog. Here's the invitation his Latter-day Saint family extends to the world

Emily Abel - Bridger Walker, age 6, touched the hearts of many after shielding his sister from a neighborhood dog at high cost to himself. His story has been covered by major news outlets such as Yahoo! and ABC News , and he’s received messages of love far and wide, including from celebrities like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr . But what many may not know is that the Walker family are Latter-day Saints and through this experience they have spread a message of love and a call to “comfort those that need comfort.” Bridger and his 4-year-old sister were playing in the...

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Watch: All 5 Tabernacle and Temple Square organists perform ‘The William Tell Overture’ finale

Emily Abel - The five Tabernacle and Temple Square organists won’t be giving the organ pipes a break anytime soon. As part of the kick-off concert for the "Piping Up: Organ Concerts on Temple Square" series, all five musicians played a part to bring the finale from “The William Tell Overture” to life. The video displays the true skill of these organists, who filmed their parts individually at different times on the Conference Center organ and were then combined into one soundtrack. This upbeat, exciting piece is one even those unfamiliar with classical music are likely to recognize.  The performance was also included in...

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3 principles you don’t want to miss (or misunderstand) from this week’s ‘Come, Follow Me’ chapters

Emily Abel - This week in the Come, Follow Me   chapters, readers get to see a new side of Alma. As David Butler points out on this week’s episode of “ Don’t Miss This ,” we have seen how Alma teaches to large crowds and among people he doesn’t know, but in chapters 36–38 we get to see Alma in action as a father. He pulls in each of his three sons and delivers tender, personal counsel to them.  Alma deeply desires his sons to live righteously, making his teachings pointed and powerful even today. Here are three principles Alma emphasizes to his...

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The advice President Ballard gives his grandchildren to help them #HearHim

Lindsey Williams - President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, joined the series on how he hears the voice of God by sharing a powerful testimony of how He felt guidance from the Lord while serving as a missionary in England. In a blog piece accompanying the video, President Ballard describes that as a 19-year-old, he had just been made the district president over 30 missionaries. In a moment of solitude as he walked alongside the river Trent in Nottingham, England, he pled with the Lord to know if He was pleased with what then-Elder Ballard was trying...